That means archaeologists cannot simply search a modern map for the word “Capachequi.”

They have to reconstruct the landscape.

They compare written descriptions with rivers, distances, archaeological remains, settlement patterns, and artifact distributions.

For decades, researchers tried to match de Soto’s descriptions to actual places.

Some parts of his route could be reconstructed with reasonable confidence.

Other portions remained uncertain.

The Capachequi region was especially important because the expedition’s accounts describe a substantial Native settlement there.

The problem was proving the connection.